Every applicant submits a graded written paper
Princeton asks all students to submit a graded written paper as part of their application.
Undergraduate · Princeton
Princeton's graded written paper: which A-level work qualifies
Princeton asks every applicant for a graded written paper, and it says international applicants can use O- or A-level coursework. The decision for an A-level student is which existing piece of schoolwork to submit: the guidance is specific about subject, type of writing and what must accompany it. Princeton's pages carry no entry-year label, so everything here is treated as evidence for the previous cycle and not as the 2028 requirement.
Official information · read 25 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Princeton says about the graded written paper
Taken from Princeton Admission's Graded Written Paper and International Students pages and read on 25 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Princeton's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Which course and what kind of writing
The paper should be from an academic course in English, social studies or history, from the last three years of secondary school, including senior year. Princeton is most interested in expository, thesis-driven analytical writing, and less in science research, creative writing, personal narratives or papers mostly focused on data analysis.
A-level coursework is acceptable
For international applicants, the paper must be submitted in English and can come from O- or A-level coursework, so long as the student-written essay meets all the other requirements.
What to include
Papers should be at least one page, with the entire paper, the prompt, the grade received and any available comments. The paper should be originally written in English, with no translations.
Quality matters more than the grade
The Admission Office is more interested in the quality of the writing than the grade, and encourages applicants to submit a paper that shows their best efforts.
Official sources
- Princeton Admission: Graded Written Paperadmission.princeton.edu
- Princeton Admission: International Studentsadmission.princeton.edu
Read on 25 October 2026 on Princeton Admission's Graded Written Paper and International Students pages. The pages carry no entry-year label. Standardised testing, deadlines, financial aid and the full application checklist were not read and are not stated.
The requirement
One real piece of schoolwork, not a new essay
Princeton describes the paper as helping the Admission Office assess the applicant's written expression in an academic setting. The paper is an existing, graded piece of work, not a new essay written for the application: Princeton asks for the entire paper, the prompt, the grade and any available comments. It says the paper should be originally written in English, with no translations, and that if your school does not offer grades for student work you should submit teacher comments and a rubric.
Choosing the paper
Subject, type of writing and age of the work
The guidance narrows the choice more than many applicants expect.
Subject
The paper should come from an academic course in English, social studies or history, from the last three years of secondary school, including senior year. For international applicants, O- or A-level coursework can qualify.
Type of writing
Princeton is most interested in expository, thesis-driven analytical writing. It says science research, creative writing, personal narratives and papers mostly focused on data analysis are less of a fit.
Form
A paper, essay, research paper or in-class essay exam can all be sent, and the paper should be at least one page long.
The grade
Princeton says it is more interested in the quality of the writing than the grade, and encourages you to submit your best effort regardless of the grade.
How to submit
Two routes
Princeton says you can upload the paper alongside your application materials when submitting the Common Application, or upload it to your applicant portal, or send it by email or by mail. The grade and the teacher's comments should appear on the paper, and a grading rubric should be included if one was used. If you have already graduated and are taking a year off, you can contact your secondary school to obtain a graded written paper.
The wider record
How an A-level transcript is read
Princeton says your transcript is evaluated within the context of your educational system and school curriculum, and can include internal grades, achieved marks from external exams such as British A-levels or the IB, or a combination. If leaving exams are part of your graduation requirements, it asks your school to submit predicted or achieved results as they become available. Princeton also says there is no preference or advantage to a particular education system or country.
English language
When a proficiency test is needed
Princeton says applicants whose native language is not English and who attend a school where English is not the language of instruction must take an accepted English proficiency test. You do not need one if English is your native language or you have spent at least three years at a secondary school where English is the primary language of instruction. Most students at UK-curriculum schools will want to check which applies to them.
Integrity
The paper must be the student's own work
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support and is not affiliated with Princeton. Support can help a student understand the requirement and choose among their own existing pieces of work. It cannot write or alter any paper, and no outcome is promised.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what is known and what to check
Princeton's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the requirement, then check Princeton's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The graded written paper guidelines: read 25 October 2026
The subject, type of writing and submission routes are Princeton's wording today, without an entry-year label.
Standardised testing and deadlines: not stated here
This guide has not read them. Check Princeton for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Keep your best analytical essays from English, history or social-science courses, with the prompt, grade and teacher comments, so you can choose among them when the time comes.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I use A-level coursework for Princeton's graded written paper?
Princeton says the paper must be in English and can come from O- or A-level coursework, so long as the student-written essay meets all the other requirements.
Which subjects does Princeton prefer?
An academic course in English, social studies or history, from the last three years of secondary school, including senior year.
Does the grade matter?
Princeton says it is more interested in the quality of the writing than the grade it received.
What if my school does not give grades?
Princeton says to submit teacher comments and a rubric.
Can I translate a paper written in another language?
No. Princeton says the paper should be originally written in English, with no translations.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
They are Princeton's current wording, with no entry-year label. Check Princeton's pages again for the 2028-entry details.
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